DIY haptic controller brings touch typing to Virtual Reality
A creative developer has built a wearable eight-key controller that could solve one of VR's most persistent challenges: text input.
Mateusz Czapliński's "Clawtype" attaches to the user's wrist, positioning eight keys beneath their fingers in two rows of four. Since eight keys alone can't handle the full character set, the system uses key combinations to access additional letters and symbols.
Not just keys: Adding mouse control
The Clawtype isn't limited to text entry. The device incorporates a gyroscope sensor that translates hand movements into cursor control, essentially functioning as a built-in mouse. Czapliński constructed the device using 3D-printed components, including key covers, a hand plate, and switch holders. At its core, a SparkFun Pro Micro RP2040 development board processes all the inputs and presents itself to computers as a standard USB HID device — meaning it shows up just like any other keyboard and mouse.
True to the open-source spirit, Czapliński has published both the 3D design files and code on GitHub under an open license. While his demo video shows there's definitely a learning curve, the device could offer real advantages over traditional VR input methods.
The persistent problem of VR text entry
Text input remains one of virtual reality's biggest unsolved challenges. Currently, VR users typically resort to either pairing a physical Bluetooth keyboard or struggling with virtual keyboards floating in space.
Without tactile feedback, typing in VR feels unnatural and inefficient. Despite numerous attempts by developers and companies, no one has yet created a mass-market input device that can match the speed and accuracy of traditional keyboards.
The race for better solutions
Several major players are working to crack this problem. Meta Reality Labs and ETH Zurich developed "TouchInsight" for the Quest 3, software that can turn any surface into a virtual keyboard. In testing with twelve participants, users managed 37 words per minute with a 2.9% error rate — significantly better than the Quest's floating keyboard, which only achieves about 20 words per minute with an 8% error rate.
Tap Systems offers another approach with their TapXR wristband, which detects finger movements to enable typing on any surface. Expert users can reportedly reach 70 words per minute. The device works across various VR and AR platforms, including Meta Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, HoloLens, and HTC Vive.
Meta is exploring yet another avenue with a wristband that uses electromyography to detect electrical muscle activity and convert it into digital commands. This technology could potentially enable input with minimal physical movement of hands and fingers.
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